MusicLaw

Here's a good one.... One evening last autumn, after returning from a mountain bike workout, I immediately wanted to grab my Les Paul to start working out a live track lick I had been listening to while riding. When I stopped playing for a moment, I heard the sound of loud cricket that had apparently crawled into the back of my Amp! As I took off my LP, to swing the amp around to find the cricket, of course it went quiet. When I couldn't find it, I picked up my guitar again and resumed playing, so did the cricket! Turned out I was still wearing my HeartRate Monitor Sensor Chest Strap, and the guitar's pickups were picking up the transmitter's chirping 5Khz analog signal! The pickups are doing what they're designed to do. If there's a strong enough EMF in range they may pick it up and you may hear it.

For Bass players, there's likely to be some impressive new Factory Presets showing off the new "Get Low" firmware 2.20 amps, cabs, FX and features, later this month.

Flower, see the answer to your scenario as repoled to in the other volume and wah thread. Essentially, you only need to deactivate the controller and/or expression assignments for each pedal or footswitch, and then be sure to assign them specifially as you desire them to respond.

Sorry to hear the problems you have encountered. Probably best to reinstall the current firmware 2.12 using the current Editor 2.11 (and whatever the current Updater version is). For some, Line 6's confusing and occassionaly infuriating system (often with different specifially numbered versions) of the Helix Editor, Updater, and Firmware, has lead to all sorts of problems, even when users are doing their best to follow the instructions. These Forums, the Gear Page Net Helix thread, and other Helix related Internet posts are ripe with all sorts of problems users have encountered, many of which also involve importing or updating customized Presets. I believe it is well recognized that Line 6 is addressing this entire area with forthcoming improvements to the software process. Let's all hope this is introduced perhaps as early as the forthcoming 2.20 due later this Month. If not coincident with the release of 2.20, then perhaps by the time the newly overhauled Helix Editor and Helix Native arrive later this Spring. I am not amongst the ranks of those who have suffered Preset loss, or Helix lockup. I specifically bought Helix to use in autonomous mode. I have only connected it to a computer once, to update the firmware from 1.5.6 to 2.10. I specifically opted to skip incremental releases 2.11 and 2.12 and wait for 2.20. Although I have created and saved several Custom Presets, I do not consider rebuilding them from scratch to be a problematic process. In fact, it has been a meaningful part of learning Helix.

The newly overhauled Helix Editor will remain free for all (right handed ;) ) Helix users. Left handed users will get it for No Charge.

Or these in your bag: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1245018-REG/triton_audio_phantom_blocker_phantom_power_blocker_connector.html?typedValue= https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/889753-REG/sescom_ses_il_ppb_xlr_inline_phantom.html?typedValue=

As your IEMs are being fed by the ART HeadAmp6 Pro headphone amp from the Mackie DL32R mixer from the Helix, the last two two links in the signal chain are where you'll need to make adjustments to what you are individually hearing via your SE215. As for playing at home, I regularly switch between any of several pairs of Sony MDR-V6 plugged directly into the Helix, or a pair of Shure SE530 IEMs. The Sonys and Shure do not sound identical. Yet they each sound very good and switching between them has not proven to be a problem. For convenient low volume near field stereo monitoring, I will often patch the Helix to a Yamaha THR10C's AuxIn, or use my primary near field monitors which are a set of JBL LSR308. Otherwise, I have a set of Yamaha DXR10, I use positioned as wedges or standing vertically as backline.

Good points! Just because that is the way it is operating now, does not mean that it might not be able to be changed in a future firmware release. This should not be more involved than changing/adding/ammending a few lines of code. Submit the suggestion via an IdeaScale post! If enough people make Line 6 aware of their desire that the behavior be changed, it just might be.

I too have had very good experiences (the majority of the time) dealing with GC. Often the gear I decide to get, is not inventoried in their stores. I'll typically wait until that have a 20% discount offer, and then order what I want. They ship at no charge directly from their Kansas City Distribution Center to my local GC store location. Once I see it there if it is not to my liking, I simply have them process the return refund to my credit card. This has worked out very well. The GC Call Center Supervisors/Team Leaders I deal with on the phone never seem to mind and are happy to serve. They were the ones to suggest ordering several of the same guitars (model and color) to select the best from the bunch. I've also ordered, similar hard shell cases, studio and PA monitors, etc. that were not in the store to be able to select the best for my needs once they arrived. Plus, even if you do take them home, you've still got 30 or 45 days to return them if they don't suit your needs. As for speakers, I kept a pair of JBL LSR308 (preferrring them over the 305s and Yamaha HS8's) for near field use with my Helix. I also wound up getting a pair of Yamaha DXR10 for dual mono or stereo use as wedges or backline. These also work incredibly well Wet-Dry-Wet with the Helix and my 2x12 combo amp! I did not care for the sound of the Alto's! And, although I do normally like JBLs and have several pairs of their speakers, I found the Yamahas to be smoother and more refined than the EONs. The Yamaha DBR series are less expensive than the DXR series, sound nearly identical and are an exceptional value.

Keep the tones coming! If it's Clapton inspired, it can't be bad!

It sure would be nice for a press of the Cab's Mic Parameter Knob to work the way most Parameter knobs do. Specifically, a press, returns the value to it's default Factory Value. The way it works now, when the Mic Parameter Button is pressed, the mic value does not revert to the Factory Default mic for that particular Cab. Rather, it changes to the first Mic in the Mics list. As the Mic button's jump-to-the-first-in-the-list behavior was so dramatically distinct from the way the other Parameter buttons work, I submitted, a few months ago, this as a bug on a Support Ticket. Line 6's response, was that this is the way it was designed. Perhaps so, but it still feels awkward. Worse yet, if you have changed the Mic Parameter along with any of the other Cab parameters, and want to get back to the default Mic parameter (yet did not happen to remember what that was), you've got to leave and then return to the same Cab, thereby wiping all your cab parameter changes. Here's an IdeaScale posting for this suggestion. Vote it Up! https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Cab-Mic-Parameter-Knob-Press-to-Resume-Default/871855-23508

If I recall correctly, this is suposed to be corrected in the forthcoming firmware 2.20 later this month.

They're a no brainer to replace! There are all sorts of rubber bumper feet available at just about any hardware or home improvement store! Many are peel and stick adhesive backed. There are also plenty that are pre-drilled and designed to be secured with a retaining screw (as the original ones on the bottom of the Helix). If you have not worn the heads off of the 6 retaining screws that held the rubber feet to the bottom of the Helix, simply unscrew and replace them and the rubber feet. If the screw heads are trashed, simply clean surrounding area with a damp rubbing alcohol swab and glue a few of the adhesive feet to surround the original location. Make sure you position these at each of the 6 original positions so that the base will sit level on a hard surface. You could also contact Line 6 directly to see if they'd send you six sets in an envelope. All it takes is a screwdriver to replace them.

tmuka, good to know you'll have the Backpack soon! There should be no problem simply not accepting the Backpack shipped to store and have the entire amount refunded to your account!

Just as many amp and FX units are variations of similar circuits, when you find one or several that you prefer, you use them! In a similar fashion, the way modeled amps, modeled combo amps, speakers, cabs, and cab sims interact is a complex receipe that will absolutely sound different depending on the combination of the elements. If you like the sound of the combination you're getting use it! Many of the most notable sounds over the past decades are the result of using things in non-standard ways!

Get ready to have an absolute blast!!

So long as the features you do use or want to use are not bogged down or rendered more cumbesome by the features you do not use, there is minimal downside to the having the unused features on board Helix. The main area where this may become an issue is in the Block type menus. Here it could be useful to hide those items that are of no interest. Thus, the list types would be more concise. Currently this is not much of an issue. Over time, as the number of Amps, Cabs, and FX offerings grow by dozens, those lists will be longer to scroll through and select from. Another method, perhaps more suited for users already familiar with what they do and do not care for, could be a means to Favorite their desired Block elements. A Favorites Block display mode, would show only a users Favorited Block Type elements. An extension of this Favorites concept could also be applied to facilitate much quicker comparisons amongst and between several different amps, cabs, FX, and Presets. The associated lists (when in Favorites mode) would only show those user Favorited items. This would allow quickly selecting amongst just a few (all presumably on the same display) for rapidly jumping between them to hear the differences. Here's the IdeaScale Post to vote it up! https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/User-Favorites-Display-Mode-for-Blocks-and-Presets/871532-23508 [Note: There is another IdeaScale post whose title includes the term: "Favorite." That other submission regards the ability to Save a user's preferred configuration of the parameters of any Block, so that the saved Block (customized with a User's preferred parameters, rather than factory defaults) may be available for recall. That other IdeaScale submission is also worth a positive vote!]

Helix's design was complete by the time Yamaha acquired Line 6. Now, they are related companies, presumably with their respective technology accessible to either. I own a Helix and use it with a set of Yamaha DXR10 FRFR Powered Monitors. Coincidentally, each device has it's own "Link" system, which involves an XLR connection. Helix's L6 Link Out is Digital. Yamaha's DXR Series' Link is Analog. The thought came to mind that if Helix's digital L6 Link Out is not a hard wired digital jack, and if a firmware update were capable of repurposing the digital L6 Link Out Jack as an analog jack to support the Yamaha DXRs' Link system, this could be very handy for all Yamaha DXR users! This would leave Helix's Main XLR and 1/4" outs free for other uses. If you're a Yamaha DXR user and Helix Owner and feel this would be of use, Vote it Up! Here's the post on IdeaScale: https://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/L6-Link-Support-for-Yamaha-DXR-Link/871536-23508

Nearly all of GC's inventory ships from or comes from their main Kansas City National Distribution Center. If you phone GC Customer Support (not the floor sales clerk at your local store) you should be able to get the transaction elevated to being properly recognized by the Supervisor/Team Leader and have them ship a Backpack directly to you (in lieu of your local store to pickup). If they're still out of stock, at least when they do get a shipment at the KC DC, there will be a large number of them, rather than your local store having to take what they get.

GC was innundated with Helix purchases before the end of the year and they quickly ran out of the free Helix Backpacks early in December. I was told more would not likely be back in stock until mid-January. As it turned out I got mine in late December! The Line 6 promotion was to be fulfilled by the vendors, so Line 6 may defer you back to GC. Get in touch with a Supervisor or Team Leader as they often are referred to at GC's Call Centers to demand that they cover you!! The Line 6 Helix Backpack is very good! It holds the Helix very well, and the two additional storage pouches provide lots of extra capacity. I'm still not sure what the exterior loops on either side of the top pouch are for. Perhaps someone from Line6 knows? DI, Frank, Victor, Tony, Andrew, Will, Tony, anyone...?

FarleyUK, PierM, and bassguy129; When did you each get your Helix? From what vendor? Floor or Rack version?

I went with a pair of DXR10. They are smaller, lighter, and less costly than the DXR12. Two DXR10 sound significantly bigger and fuller than a single DXR12. I wanted two DXR10, for a very full and wide sound field regardless if run as dual mono, stereo, or Wet-Dry-Wet (flanking my combo amp). I use them horizontally as wedges, standing vertically as backline, and sometimes as reference monitors. Not for PA. Compared directly vs. the DXR12 (regardless if one vs. one or two vs. two) the DXR12's lower range bottom end is slightly noticable when listening to pre-recorded material with signifcant bottom end content. In this scenario, the DXR12 had a slight advantage. For any sort of DJ type use (I don't have that need), or for motion picture sound reinforcement you would almost certainly want to run a Sub, thus narrowing the difference between the DXR12 and DXR10 even more. For 6 string electric guitar, the the DXR10 and DXR12 sound remarkably similar. I have several Les Pauls (one a partially hollow Les Paul Florentine), a custom Strat, and a (335 style) Sheraton Pro-II. All sound great through the DXR10 and DXR12. If you'll be playing Bass, 7 String Guitar, Drop Tuning, playing Keys, or using them for PA or prerecorded content, the DXR12's lower end would be useful. If the DXR Series' 3 channel mixer is not essential, consider the nearly identical sounding. lighter weight, lower cost DBR series. They are an excellent choice. Marco Fanton uses the DBR10. You can check out any of his many YouTube videos and patches. He also regularly posts to the Helix thread on TGP. Hope this helps.

PierM, You may want to consider submitting a Support Ticket to Line 6, to make them aware of your scenario. At the very least, and even if it may not technically be a bug, it could give rise to Line 6 opting to improve how Helix handles signal path processing regading the Tuner.

The free Adobe Acrobat Reader on my 12.2" Android Tablet does the job quite conveniently! That's where I keep my most often used local copy of the Helix User Guide.

If you're routing Analog Stereo backing tracks to your Helix via two of Helix's FX Returns, the Block's Level Parameter allows adjustment of the backing tracks' volume. You could also insert a Stereo Volume Gain Block after the Stereo FX Return Block to allow adjustment of the backing tracks' volume. To avoid the need to bend down to turn either block's level parameter to adjustment the volume, assign a footswitch to each Block and the treadle as a Controller for the Level Parameter of each block. I'm not at the Helix at the moment to give this a try, but I believe Helix's onboard treadle should allow control of the backing track's Volume in one of two ways. One way would be accessing Pedal Edit Mode, then selecting the Block, then the Level Parameter and making the adjustment. The other would be simply selecting the footswitch assigned to the Block that enables the treadle and making the adjustment. Give each method a try to see which affords the best and most direct control. As you've also got the guitar and vocal related paths to maintain and adjust, see how the above may work for you.